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Forensic scientist employment opportunities include regional, state, and local forensic laboratories; district attorney's/prosecutor's/state's attorneys' offices; public defender contracts; private firms; colleges and universities; the military; and federal agencies such as the DEA, ATF, Customs, FBI, and Postal Service.

Between 2009 and 2016, employment opportunities for forensic scientists are expected to grow by 31% (from 13,000 to 17,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Given the potential tight competition for these positions, the successful job candidate might need to relocate to other areas of this region or to other locations across the country or to other countries.

Job postings through the American Academy of Forensic Sciences list starting salaries of $25,000, up through $80,000, depending on the position level. Positions requiring a medical degree listed for $200,000 and above. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists forensic scientist positions with investigative and security service positions as an average of $58,420 per year, and in medical and diagnostic lab settings as $53,670 per year. The Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services posts positions from $40,740 through $57,792 at the Trainee level.

Potential career opportunities are listed below. These careers require different levels of academic experience (see key at end of list).

Those interested in forensic sciences can consider taking the
General Knowledge Examination (GKE) given by the American Board of Criminalistics (
http://www.criminalistics.com). Individuals may study for and take this exam even if they are not yet currently employed in the profession.

The American Board of Criminalistics suggest that the Forensic Science Assessment Test, which can usually be administered in the last semester of the academic undergraduate career, can be used as an incentive for employers as to the candidate's forensic science knowledge. For more information, go to
http://www.criminalistics.com/.